Multiple Nelsons

I have a friend that I grew up with (in the same Stake not ward) and right now her family is living over seas.  Even though our lives are different... we aren't in the same country, grocery shopping is different, schooling and etc,  BUT we are so similar - we have lots of little kids and no matter where you live, what your circumstances are, your lives mirror each other.  She is a much better writer than me and I like how she puts things into perspective.  So Ashley if you are reading this, I wanted to say thank you for writing your most recent post.  I think we a need a good reminder about how we really do enjoy being a parent to lot of small children. Here is the link: Sherwood Family Nonsense

Here is Jackie using scissors properly.  Her teacher and I have been trying to work with her for the past year to use them correctly.  Usually she uses both hands and looks like "Edward Scissorhands".  But if you help prompt her she can use them right and actually cut!!!

Stats of Baby D @ 12 months old Height: 29.5 inches (40%) Weight: 20 lbs 2.5 ozs (30%) Head Circumference: 45 cm (20%) Here are some pictures of the other kids.  Who do you think he looks the most like? "Missa" at 12 months old.                             "Jacolena" at 12 months old  "Jare Bear" at 12 months (he had his hair cut several times "Crazy A" at 12 months old. Chores This last year we started chores.  Over the summer we took a slight break and now I am back finally into the swing of things.  The above picture is just our daily schedule.  Really the only kids that look at this is, the twins.  I don't discuss this with the kids, it is just a reference for the kids that need it.  This is VERY simple and not complicated.   This next picture is our chore chart.  I had many ideas on how to do this... columns, rows...

This past week was an extremely hard week.  Emotionally and mentally taxing.  And probably this upcoming week will be the same but in a different way, physically.  So here it goes - - - - - With school starting, I thought I would have SO much more time.  Well I have a little more.  I have been getting a LOT of sewing done.  When September rolls around I start my Christmas list to make presents.  This year I have vowed to make all the presents from Troy and I AND to/from each child.   Santa gifts will always be bought.  With the "extra" time in the afternoon I sew while the twins are away at school. The gate!!!  It will help keep the kids in the yard. Another thing that has kept me busy is doctor appointments.  Right now we are still in a huge funk of having 3-4 doctor appointments a week (this is including therapy 2x week).  I thought it would slow down but nope.  With "Jare Bear's" spinal shunt sur...

I decided when our kids turn 5, that they could have their first birthday party with friends.  "Missa" had her first birthday party @ 5 yrs old.  Then after that maybe around the age of 8 and other ages (10 & 16) too.  "Missa" keeps asking me when she can have her next friend's birthday party.  She is already starting to plan it.  Crazy!   I am not a huge fan of friend's birthday party just because it is a lot of planning and sometimes too much chaos for me.  Which is weird.... because I LOVE to plan things, but with having soo many young children it is too much for me (I get it from my mom).   The girls playing dress up with the paper. I decided this time around to invite church friends only.  It was just easier and that is who we do most things with at the moment.  If we did things with their school friends, I would have invited some of them too.  Also if I really counted up who their best frie...

"Jacolena" on her first day of school. I accidentally deleted Jare Bear's picture.  This year I was trying to make a big deal out of their birthday b/c I think they finally get birthdays!!!  So we celebrated their birthday 3 times - with family, on the night of and had their first friend's birthday party.   These pictures are "on the night of their birthday". Funniest part - "Jare Bear" with chocolate frosting on his chin. :) Grandma and Grandpa got him a toy bobcat like Grandpa's.  That was his favorite gift. "Jacolena's" hat from Grandma.  She is so sensitive to the sun that every time she goes outside... she wears a hat. "Jare Bear's" train table.... Both boys play with it.

More work for our family this past weekend.  Basically every FREE weekend and any holiday we have.... we work. Saturday The girls up in the Bradford Pear tree while we were trimming the the lower branches.   Such a great climbing tree and shady spot.  Too bad it isn't in our backyard.   The lovely hardwood floor in the kitchen.     It will look great when the entire floor is finished b/c then it will match the living room and bedrooms.  The start of the bonfire to help get rid of the trash at the work site.  These girls crashed literally within 5 minutes of leaving to go home.  It was nice. Monday - Labor Day  We were back again on Labor Day preparing for the installation of the chainlink fence.   The start of mulching the front natural area.  Colette and I eventually got that entire area spread of mulch.  It is much bigger than it looks.  Grandpa measuring the lengt...

 On Saturday we worked on three things: the Kitchen floor- putting in the hardwood.  2. Mowing the lawn - which took effort from me and Grandma Loanne b/c there is a lot to mow. 3. Troy was fixing the leak in the refrigerator line. These two boys are starting to play (making messes)